German Car Zone

I don't dispute the M suspension and tuning would make a positive difference - it just doesn't appear to materially help the 335i against the new S4 (with LSD) on the track.

I also don't think the Aussie result is an anomaly. I have read at least 3 different comparisons from different parts of the world and all of them have the S4 beating the 335i (RWD and Xdrive) with or without M tuning, by a very considerable margin.

The S4's adaptive damping and LSD appear to be a major factor to the S4 supremacy with the help of a few extra horsepower. Since these pieces of tech are not currently available on the 335i, it would be very interesting to see the result of a comparison of an S4 without the damping and LSD.

Any opinions?

I believe the 335 in the Aussie test was an automatic.

Correct the 335i M-sport was a 6 speed auto and the S4 was the 7 speed s-tronic - dual clutch. The manual s4 is not being offered in Australia.

The Aussie test sure show us the biggest difference to date, as far as I know.

Furthermore, the M-sport suspension makes a noticeable and surely measureable difference. But since SA choose to test the softest version of the 335i we will have to wait for confirmation. I guess both the M-sport chassis and the Performance chassis will prove both more sporty and effective.

0.3 seconds difference on Hockenheim while being equally fun to drive. That is a great feat for the 335i in its basic form.

[quote=dr Dunkel;403645]The Aussie test sure show us the biggest difference to date, as far as I know.

Yes and that was a comparison using a 335i M-sport, albeit an automatic vs s-tronic.

What is most pleasing for me is that BMW finally has some real competition - which will no doubt lead to further improvement. It pretty well had the game sewn up until the arrival of the new S4.

I am very much looking forward to an S5 with the S4 engine and tech - if that eventuates. Should prove a worthy adversary for the 335i M-sport coupe.

[quote=Ozzie Bone;403650]Yes, so many differencies regarding the vechicles in the tests, the one in SA seems qiute comparable but still the worst chassis on the Beemer. Well, I guess we will never se a comparison when it has the best version, the Performance.

I agree, an S5 with S4 technology would be great!

I say it again, 335i can't touch the new S4 unless it get a proper diff/LSD. If you driven a 335i, traction isnt the best part with 335i during active driving.

Well, looking at the SA test, the difference of 0.3 seconds shows that a proper LSD is not needed, the M-sport chassis or even better the Performance version would do, but I agree, an LSD would be great. But as BMW does not want to take the 335i too close to the M3 and keep the LSD only for the M versions (if the 335i would have had an optional LSD, then the work on making the M3 special would have been much harder), this is as good as it will get.

After reviewing the beginning of the thread I have two questions:

1. were the vehicles tested autos or manual? and

2. did the S4 have adaptive dampers and LSD?

One potential explanation for the S4 dominating the Aussie tests more convincingly than Hokkenheim was that the car tested in Australia did have the LSD and the vehicle at the Hokkenhiem track did not. Anybody know?

Make the 335i an M sport, give it some performance parts and 326 hp, and it will eat the Audi S4. A standard 335i without anything already is about as fast as the S4.